Conversation · The Hanged Man

Looking straight at you. Helpless, trapped within itself.

Who killed you?

Communism.

It takes a millisecond for the association to flash within your cortex. You have no idea where it's coming from -- only that it's right.

Then the rigor in his muscles gives up, and he smashes sideways into the spring mud, letting out a horrid stench.

"RCM, baby! RCM!"

"Ace's high!" The lieutenant raises his right hand, waiting for you to slap it.

The Ace's High -- a custom invented by the aerostatic brigades during the Revolution -- is used to celebrate success in Revachol. Especially in sports. The gesture has spread across the world, despite the defeat of the revolutionaries themselves.

You could add an Ace's Low to it, if you like. By turning your back after the High and waiting for another.

Slap it.

The lieutenant takes a little hop to perform the customary salutation. Your palm hurts from the slap. It's precise and down to the point.

"I knew these guys were f****ts." His voice is deeply approving.

"Yeah, we're f****ts, got a problem with it?!"

Cuno cracks with laughter -- sounds like someone strangling a seagull. It's clear he enjoys himself.

"I knew they suck each other off."

"What now?"

"We will perform a field autopsy and determine the cause of death -- but before... excuse me." He needs to turn away from the corpse.

Slumped on the ground like that has not improved the way the corpse smells -- the fall seems to have released something deep inside it...

"It looks like I feel like taking a break from the stench. I'm sorry to interrupt the jubilations here -- just a little breather before we do the autopsy."

"All right." (Give him back his gun.)

He holsters it. "I would suggest we interview Evrart and Joyce -- the leader of the Union and the Wild Pines rep -- but we've already done that. So... it's up to you detective. Take us where we need to be."

He trusts you have plenty of things in the task chain, lined up.

"In the meantime, we should locate the representative of the logistics company. My preliminary information suggests the Wild Pines have sent a strike negotiator to wrangle back control from the Union."

"I bet she has a fresh perspective to offer us. Since we've already talked to Evrart in the harbour -- that interview is done. For better or for worse."

"Is this the famous list of initial interviews?

"Yes..." He nods slowly. "And those were the interviewees. Let's go."

Let's go then. [Leave.]

"In the meantime, we should try to interview Evrart Claire, the leader of the Union. Harbour property was clearly used in the hanging..." He points to the belt. "The harbour just east of here. Getting in might prove a challenge, though..."

"I would also suggest we interview Joyce, the Wild Pines representative, but we've already done that. So -- good for us. One down, one to go."

"Or we could talk to the representative of the logistics company again. I know we already met Joyce, but that didn't count as an interview. We need to ask her how the strike and lynching are connected."

You could ask the Gardener for directions!

"Or we could ask around for the representative of the logistics company. My initial information says the Wild Pines have sent some sort of strike negotiator to wrangle control back from Evrart."

"Wait -- field autopsy?!"

"Yes." He covers his nose. "The four phases of a murder scene. One: Investigation of the scene."

"I'm satisfied with that part. The trash container, the prints -- we've been thorough enough."

"Two: Initial examination of the victim. We were exhaustive in our efforts there. Good job."

"Three: Field autopsy. This will not be pleasant. Or easy. And it will have to be performed on the scene."

"The fuck are they on about?"

"Cops are gonna cut his shit up next."

"Four and final: transport of the coroner's case to the district morgue. I'll do that." The lieutenant stops. "God, he stinks."

"Don't we have someone else for the autopsy -- like a doctor?"

"No. You and I are detectives. The honorary rank of 'detective' signifies our ability to handle the entire incident chain. From crime scene, to autopsy, to clean-up. We do it all."

"Honorary rank?"

"An honour -- and a burden. Attached to your rank. Mine is lieutenant-detective -- unfortunately. I can't tell you how tired I am of this corpse..."

He is growing truly tired of it, it's not merely moodiness. His tolerance limit is near.

"I don't think I'm a detective."

"With shooting like that -- of course you are. Your station would not have assigned you to this case otherwise."

"Yes, I feel like a detective."

"Your station would not have assigned you the case otherwise. This case is important."

"Got it."

"Good."

"Two: Initial examination of the victim. We were pretty good in our efforts -- and the autopsy will provide another chance."

"Two: Initial examination of the victim. We were not exhaustive in our efforts, should have looked at the tattoos maybe? But what's done is done."

"I can't say I'm satisfied with that part yet. I still want to know what's in that trash container..." He points to it.

"I can't say I'm fully satisfied with that part. We should search for prints maybe..." He points to the spring mud around you.

"I can't say I'm satisfied with that part yet. We should search for prints maybe..." He stops to look at the spring mud. "And the trash container too..."

"The stench is getting bad. I'm sorry to interrupt the jubilations here -- I need a little breather before we do the autopsy."

"No, we're not!"

"Officer, let's keep our attention on the victim."

Leave him hanging.